TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: PWD and Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar has advocated the need to amend laws to facilitate cutting of trees which pose danger to human life and property.
It may be recalled that three persons were injured and about 14 houses were partly damaged after trees came crashing down due to gusty winds on Thursday night.
Similar incidents of trees falling and houses being damaged were reported in other parts of Ponda taluka, however Kavlem was the worst affected area.
According to Queula Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar, the damages are estimated to be about Rs 95 lakh.
Queula villagers said cutting of several trees in the area that pose danger was stalled due to objection from the owners. Villagers claimed that on Thursday night some of those trees posing danger fell on the houses.
“It’s important that trees which pose danger to human life and property should be cut after being ascertained by the department of forest or agriculture,” said Dhavlikar during his visit to the affected area in Queula Panchayat in Marcaim constituency.
“If the owner challenges the execution order passed by the district administration to cut the trees, then the law has to be amended in view of natural calamity. I will take up the issue at the cabinet meeting,” he said.
Thursday’s incident also damaged electrical poles and blocked roads after trees were either uprooted or huge branches came crashing down.
Three members from a family were injured after a huge branch of a tree fell on their house at Queula.
According to information, Laxmi Naik (62) was injured after the rafter came down when the tree branch fell on the house. Laxmi’s 30-year-old daughter-in-law Sneha and two-year-old grandchild Swayam escaped with minor injuries.
Dhavlikar assured temporary relief to the affected residents through the Madhavrao Dhavlikar Trust managed by his family and also assured help from the State government.
“The damage is yet to be assessed through Mamlatdar and once it is done then through government all the possible help will be given to those affected,” said Dhavlikar.
He said there was a religious ritual at Datta Mandir, Kavlem on Thursday night, where several residents took part when the incident occurred.
